Time

ICT

Curriculum Leader:R. Rhodes

This course brings the study of ICT up to date for the 21st century. It is for students who wish to progress to higher education or to the world of work. Candidates can develop an understanding of how ICT can be used in society and organisations and the implications of its use. Among the many benefits, this new specification is designed to encourage candidates to:

– Work co-operatively and manage projects.– Develop personal learning and thinking skills.– Provide quality ICT-based solutions to a range of problems.– Develop an awareness of developments in technology.

Course Content

Students will make practical use of a range of applications software, hardware and communication technologies to address several different types of problem. The range of applications software used should cover the processing of text, images, numbers and sound. Students will address several problems.

INFO2 Living in the Digital World

This unit is designed to give students the wider picture of the use of ICT and to enable the understanding of basic terms and concepts involved in the study of the subject. Students should be able to discuss and comment on issues from a position of knowledge and they can do this only if they have the knowledge and understanding that underpins the subject.

Year 13 Course Content (A Level where applicable pre-reform) INFO 3 The Use of ICT in the Digital World

This unit looks at the fast changing subject of ICT, including developments in technology and ICT system capabilities, and how this might affect the world that makes use of ICT. The content is designed to address issues associated with the management of ICT and its use within organisations.

INFO 4 Practical Issues Involved in the use of ICT in the Digital World

This unit provides students with the opportunity to complete a substantial project involving the production of an ICT-related system over an extended period of time. In so doing, students will enhance their transferable practical skills.

Entry Requirements

5 GCSE’s at grade C or above. The A level ICT course is suitable for students who have achieved at least grade ‘C’ in GCSE ICT or GCSE Computer Studies. However, any students with good all round GCSE results will be considered depending on their level of prior expertise in the subject.

Assessment

AS Year: INFO1

50% of AS, 25% of A Level

1 hour 30 minutes examination 80 marks

Section A: short answer questions Section B: structured questions

Available June

INFO2

50% of AS, 25% of A Level

1 hour 30 minutes examination 80 marks

Section A: short answer questions Section B: structured questions

Available June

A2 Year: INFO3

30% of A Level

2 hour examination 100 marks

INFO4

20% of A Level

Coursework project report, marked by centre and moderated by AQA

Financial Information

There is no financial outlay as all materials are provided by the ICT department.

There is optional expense of a Trip to the Business & ICT Live Conference in Paris at a cost of £300.

The Academy will not charge for books, materials, equipment and instruction in connection with the National Curriculum or Statutory Religious Education taught at school, except where parents have indicated in advance their wish to purchase the product.

Exam Charging Policy:

– Students with less than 85% attendance may, under the discretion of the Sixth Form Office, be asked to pay for their exam entry.

– Exam resits that are made at the request of the post 16 students will be charged at full price.

– When it is not possible to obtain a refund, full price will be charged to students for:

– the Summer Exam entry, if they withdraw from the subject after 20 April. – non-attendance at an exam without good reason.

– BTEC students, who leave the Academy prior to the conclusion of the course, will be charged £50.

Future Opportunities

You will have advanced level skills in application systems solutions, which will provide you with practical experience to offer an employer. You will gain the academic foundation needed to apply for an ICT course at University.

Further Information

This exciting new specification brings the study of ICT up to date for the 21st century. It has the backing of a range of industries, higher education and the National Computing Centre.

The key points of this specification are that:

It allows greater opportunities for practical work than previous specifications.

Practical work can be carried out using a wide range of software and hardware.

It allows for greater flexibility in modes of delivery.

Students can be truly engaged in their studies by becoming active investigators rather than passive learners.

There are greater opportunities than in previous specifications for effective personalised learning, for target setting and for differentiated outcomes.

It builds on, rather than replicates, students’ functional ICT skills.

The specification has been developed for students who wish to progress to higher education or to the world of work, where understanding how ICT can be used in society and organisations, and the implications of its use, will be a valuable asset. The assessment is a mixture of three exams and one practical IT project.